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Friday, 15 January, 2010
- Rant 'o The Week: Google Goop
- School News
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- Essay: WEAF needs help
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RANT 'O THE WEEK: More about the Google "settlement"
If, by now, you are not aware of the wholesale piracy of books by Good Old Google, you must not yet be a book author. But someday you might be and, by then, Google intends to have you locked in a little box where they can milk you for money while seeing to it that you receive little or none in return.
"How can this be?" I hear you say. "The United States has a copyright law to protect my intellectual property." Ah you poor, misguided soul. Let me explain:
- Google started several years ago simply scanning-in every book ever published. They started with old books now out of print but have not stopped there. They are archiving these as computer files and plan to make those available to anyone asking, and paying money.
- Google will act as your agent in selling these files. To prevent them stealing your work you must notify them that you wish to "opt-out" of their plan. That's right, you don't tell them to include you; you must tell them not to include you. Sort of like a burglar promising not to steal from you if you fill out some complex forms asking him not to. Fail to opt out for each book (and magazine articles too, it's looking like now) and also fail to check for yourself to see if they are honoring your request, and Google will take your work, sell it for anything they can get for it, and then pay you whatever they feel like paying you.
- Though the U.S. Justice department has declared Google's ongoing piracy a blatant violation of both the letter and spirit of the copyright law, Google has managed to get a Federal judge to seriously contemplate permitting them to go on breaking the law. (You must understand, small thieves go to jail. Large thieves pay lawyers to get the courts or legislatures to declare their theft as having been legal. We truly do have the finest government money can buy.)
- One writer's group, the Authors Guild, thinks that Google's actions are just fine. That just might be because Google has set them up as the gatekeepers for this criminal conspiracy and the Authors Guild treasury will receive a small fee for every criminal act Google commits. All other national writing organizations are totally against the Google action. And, as we will see in a moment, many Authors Guild members are leaving the organization over this, while others are simply not joining. This is a major, major issue to book authors.
Speaking of which: Salley Shannon, the president of the American Society of Journalists & Authors, has sent out a broadcast letter. I am a member of ASJA (in fact, I'm a contractor with them) but Salley is more polite than I am and in no way endorses what I have written above. Here's Salley:
Last week, the well-known fantasy writer Ursula K. LeGuin publicly chastised the Authors Guild for fostering Google's continuing defiance of U.S. copyright law. Even now, Google is scanning books without bothering to contact those who wrote them. In mid-February, the second version of the Google Book Search Settlement goes before the court. If approved, it will give Google permanent permission to keep scanning, title to our nation's "orphan" books and other privileges. Somehow, in the midst of setting up Google as a giant online book seller, we writers have gotten the short end.
Do you really want Google to have "forever" permission to defy copyright law? Even if you eventually get $60 per book? Or $160?
"There are principles involved," Ursula wrote to the Authors Guild, "above all the whole concept of copyright, and these you have seen fit to abandon to a corporation, on their terms, without a struggle."
Right now -- I urge you to stop what you're doing for two minutes. Add your name to the list of writers on LeGuin's site who say they, too, want to stand up for copyright protections! (ED. NOTE: See below for that link.)
Our friends at the Authors Guild brought suit against Google for copyright violations, settled, and in their misguided zeal to keep Amazon from dictating e-book prices, have created a settlement package that sets up Google as Amazon's rival. While defending us against one corporate giant, they have put us, and all the world's books, at the mercy of another! Most of the $125 million Google is paying as a sort of reparations—it does not have to admit it did anything wrong, nor start asking permission before scanning—will be gobbled up by lawyers and the cost of a monopolistic Books Rights Registry.
For you and for all writers, ASJA is fighting this settlement. We believe that eventually, we and the other objectors will prevail. At the same time, we are practical. We urge each member to consider carefully whether to opt in or out. What should you do? It's tough to know—yet one more reason for all writers to fight this unsought coercion.
—end Salley Shannon's letter—
"Oh my God!" This is horrible," I hear you say. "What can I do?" Aha. Do these things:
- Copy this or parts of it to any other web site, blog, Twitter, whatever. Spread the word.
- Sign Ursula's petition here. (Scroll to the bottom to add your comment.) Do it now, or before January 28. Be sure to write this also: "I give permission to use my name and email address." Expressions of solidarity, while appreciated, do not serve as your permission to include your name on the list.
- If you live in the New York metro area, note that ASJA has joined with the NWU and SFWA to bring you a FREE workshop on the settlement for writers. It's Wednesday, Jan. 20 from 2-4:30 p.m. Get your questions answered! It's in midtown Manhattan, full details here. It will be on our site for podcasting afterwards; watch ASJA.org for details.
- The official settlement site is here. http://www.googlebooksettlement.com
SCHOOL
NEWS: Some of the things I am planning (that cursed "P" word again!) are:
Nothing this week. I am seeing a small uptick in registrations for the new year. Maybe people are recovering their will to live after a disastrous 2009. That or we are all bored to tears by too much snow outside and online classes look good about now.
FEATURED
COURSES: (Also see our homepage for daily featured courses)
Essays and Personal Stories
This is a class for any writer who is motivated to write short pieces based on his or her personal experiences, explorations, dreams, longings, emotions, thoughts, and/or ideas. These pieces can be targeted to magazines or complied into a book.
Experimental Fiction Joining the Dialogue
If you enjoy the idea of pushing beyond the boundaries of ordinary fiction, this course will allow you to play, and to forge new directions in literature which remain compelling for the reader. You will also consider how you fit into the history and ongoing presentation of experimental fiction, delve into new parts of your psyche, and start making connections with magazines.
Flash Fiction
Are you ready to plunge into the pool of flash fiction? Be prepared to hold your breath! Although the water appears shallow, the emotional impact of this writing form boasts depths rivaling the high seas of longer fiction. Flash fiction, when crafted with care, works within the boundaries of the genre and on the periphery of traditional storytelling. In the world of flash, a compelling story can be told in fewer than a hundred words! Experienced writers looking to fine-tune their skills in brevity and control, and aspiring writers interested in experimenting with this cutting-edge mode, will have the opportunity to explore this in-demand form of writing during the workshop.
Gothic Writing
Gothic Novels are hot today. Several other genres popular today have descended from them too, including Horror and Gothic Romance. But what are Gothics? How do you write them? And how are Horror and Gothic Romance similar to them? How are they different? And how do you convert and incorporate Gothic forms into Horror and Dark Romance?
Magazine Articles
Learn how to write a standard nonfiction magazine article.
ESSAY: ASJA's Writers Emergency Assistance Fund Needs Your Help!
The ASJA Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (WEAF) is a wonderful thing. It supports writers in dire need and has a long history of being that hand up and not just a handout. And here's the amazing part: You don't have to be an ASJA member to ask for help! And,as WEAF is a 501(c)(3) charity, your donation is tax-deductable.
But, of late, WEAF has problems. Their requests from writers for emergency grants are up 500 percent. Yes, that's right, five times as many writers are in trouble now as before this financial crisis started. So far, the WEAF Board of Trustees has been able to meet demand but only by paying out more than it is taking in, a situation that cannot last long.
I'm going to swipe some description from the ASJA web site here:
The Writers Emergency Assistance Fund (formerly the Llewellyn Miller Fund) is administered through the ASJA Charitable Trust, which has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. Its mission is to help established freelance writers across the country who, because of advanced age, illness, disability, a natural disaster, or an extraordinary professional crisis are unable to work.
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A writer need not be a member of ASJA to qualify for a grant. However, a grant applicant must establish a record of past professional freelance nonfiction writing over a sustained period of years, which means qualifications generally similar to those of ASJA members. The Fund does not award grants to beginning freelancers seeking funding for writing projects, nor does it fund works-in-progress of any kind.
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Since 1982, the Fund has issued more than 160 grants totaling about $400,000. Among the recipients have been writers representing diverse backgrounds and interests, with an impressive list of honors and credentials among them. Each year numbers of such talented and deserving people appeal to the Writers Emergency Assistance Fund. For many, the Fund represents their last hope for help. Contributions are fully tax-deductible, and can be made online or by check.
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Whenever I see anyone in financial trouble I think, "There but for the grace of God, go I." You probably feel the same. Writers are especially vulnerable in a bad economy because so many work alone and without the usual safety nets provided to major corporate employees.
How can you help? Easy. Go to http://www.asja.org/weaf and read more. There's a short movie there featuring our WEAF Board of Trustees chair, Lisa Collier Cool, more explanation of how WEAF works, and links to use to donate money.
WEB LINKS:
Speaking of social media, here is shameless self-promotion. If you don't like it, send me your own best web links.
ASJA, the American Society of Journalists & Authors: National professional organization for published nonfiction writers. I edit the web site. (But there is a separate webmaster who does the technical things. I literally edit the words.) Huge site, of which you mays ee only the small 'public' part. If youhave published nonfiction articles or books, and been paid for those as a freelancer, not as a staff writer, let me know and I may be able to sponsor you for membership.
VacationFunFlorida: a travel/tourism web site run by a friend of mine. There is also a cheap ebook available listing free and cheap things to do in Florida. I know both the authors personally. Click here for a separate blog.
TampaBayOnTheCheap: sort of like the one above, but for just the Tampa Bay area. Updated whenever I get to it, which is supposed to be at least weekly. Click here for a separate blog. I have to go now and do the weekend events....
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